Actor Lee Hyun Wook talks to us about his passion for acting both on screen and theatre
Some of you might have been introduced to actor Lee Hyun Wook through his captivating performance in “Stranger’s from hell”, but regardless of how you came to know and love the actor one thing is certain, he will leave you blown away and glued to your screen. Here is what he had to say about his career and the performing arts.
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Photo: Lim Han Soo
You have been in the entertainment industry for many years. What has been your biggest motivator to keep going?
I have never been completely satisfied with my work, but I think I will in the future. That's why I think I was able to keep moving because there were endless walls.
Image Provided by The Neighbor Magazine
Photo: Lim Han Soo
In “Strangers from hell” you play the role of Yoo Gi Hyeok, a resident who is fully under the control of Seo Moon Zo. How did you prepare for such a dark and thrilling role?
The webtoon was very popular and I also enjoyed watching it, so I started with the idea that the emotion of the character Yoo Gi-hyeok would not be common, and I took the character as someone who is likely to be around us even though he is uncommon.
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In “She would never know” you play Lee Jae Shin, a two-timing boyfriend hiding the fact that he is about to be married to his fiancé but doesn’t want to let go of his Girlfriend. How was it for you bringing this complex character to life?
He has his reasons, but characters who hurt someone cause a lot of pain when acting them. However, I focused on the conflicts caused by my character because it was a necessary character in the drama and there was a story to be portrayed.
You seem to have a deep passion for theatre and stage work. Are there any memorable experiences from stage work to movies?
Every job I have done is memorable, but the most memorable one has to be “Stranger’s from Hell”. Although it was short, I remember being surprised by how many people responded to it and liked it.
What would you say is the key difference in your approach to theatre scripts and film scripts? We are also curious to know which one you like better.
The theatre plays have a live nature to them, so even a single mistake is not tolerated, and the tension cannot be relaxed. Movies and dramas have the advantage of delivering detailed and delicate expressions, while theatre has the advantage of you being able to feel the air because it is in the same space as the audience. When asked which of the two I like better, it sounds like the question "Do you like your mom or dad?" I think each has a different charm.
Image Provided by The Neighbor Magazine
Photo: Lim Han Soo
In the drama ‘Mine’ you played Han Ji-Yong, a character that many would have initially thought to be bad, but we later learn about his complicated upbringing which may have validated his actions at times. How did you analyse and dissect Han Ji-yong's complicated personality?
Han Ji-yong is thought to have had a personality disorder due to childhood trauma that changed him. I don't think Han Ji-yong's behaviour even though he has a reason can be forgiven because he does something that shouldn't be done morally. But when I was acting, I thought it would be better for viewers to be immersed in the acting. The character was convinced that what he was doing was right, he focused on his authority and took for granted his evil deeds and orders.
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In ‘Mine’ you played a complex villain and later would play a nurturing father to your son, Han Ha-jun. As an actor, which scenes did you find most difficult to perform in the drama?
Because I'm single and I’ve never had a son before, it was difficult for me to play and portray paternal love as a father. So, rather than a father's feelings, I think I approached it with an attitude I would have toward the people I like and love.
As a person in the creative arts, you seem to have performed in various platforms in the art space, from plays to dramas and films. Are there any other artistic aspirations outside of acting you would like to pursue?
I am a curious person, so I like to have hobbies. I want to learn how to play musical instruments and later learn how to paint. In the case of painting, I think I can express things that cannot be expressed by words or actions in a more delicate way through pictures.
